Miranda/Laila’s POVI sat at my desk, sipping my morning coffee while poring over the stack of documents my secretary, Clara, had brought in earlier. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirled around me, momentarily easing the tension that had built up over the past few days. I needed this—something to ground me amidst the chaos. Yet, even as I tried to focus, I couldn’t shake the feeling that trouble was brewing. It always was.The knock on my office door pulled me out of my thoughts. Clara stepped in, her face unusually tense, lips pressed tightly together. Before she could speak, another figure emerged behind her. It was Mr. Williams, his usual stiff demeanor replaced by an unsettling smile. My brows furrowed slightly. This man had made his disdain for me clear from the moment I took over as CEO. What could he possibly want now?“Good morning, Miss Laila,” he said, his voice smooth, almost too friendly. “I hope I’m not disturbing you. I’m here to extend a formal invitation.”I plac
Miranda/Laila’s POVThey thought they knew everything, but I will show them they don’t. My stepmom, my stepsister, and even Mr. Williams—they planned it all to ensure I’d be molested. Foolish of them to forget I had other plans.Flashback...I was in my room, dressing up for the party. The crimson gown I wore clung to me perfectly, and I was just fastening a delicate gold chain around my neck when I overheard voices coming from Mara’s room. My hands froze, and I moved closer to the door, careful not to make a sound.“That drunk fool better go to room 101,” Mara said, her voice sharp and commanding. “Do you hear me? Room 101. Not 102. That’s my room. I don’t want any mistakes, Williams. If he messes this up, everything will fall apart!”I stood frozen for a second, her words sinking in like daggers. My heart thudded heavily, but a smirk soon spread across my face. They thought I was clueless, helpless even. They thought wrong.I crept back to my vanity, my mind already forming a plan.
Miranda's POVFor the first time in my life, I felt true satisfaction. Mara thought she could outsmart me, but I gave her a taste of her own medicine—no, I gave it back to her a hundredfold. What she had planned for me had backfired so spectacularly that even I hadn’t anticipated the depth of her humiliation. And tomorrow? Tomorrow would be even better.But the irony of it all was her audacity to come home furious with me. Furious! As if I had done something wrong. Wasn’t this exactly what she had wanted for me? Wasn’t this the humiliation she had planned? Yet here she was, her face twisted in rage, her words flying like daggers meant to cut me down.Her voice echoed through the living room as she screamed, “You did this to me! You caused me this pain! You humiliated me in front of everyone!”I watched her with calm detachment, my arms crossed over my chest. “Oh, Mara,” I said, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? You wanted me bruised, broke
Miranda's POVThe shrill beeping of my alarm clock pulled me from the tendrils of sleep. Groaning softly, I reached over and silenced it, blinking at the illuminated display. 6:00 a.m. Like clockwork, my morning routine beckoned. I stretched languidly, savoring the satisfying pop of my joints before sitting up and reaching for the Stanley cup on my bedside table. The warm water slid down my throat, refreshing and grounding me. This ritual, mundane as it was, had become my solace—a moment of calm before the storm that each day inevitably brought.I padded to the mirror and paused, gazing at my reflection. My face was serene, yet my eyes betrayed a storm of emotions—a reflection of the chaos that had become my life. Brushing off the lingering doubts, I moved into the bathroom, brushing my teeth with a vigor that felt almost therapeutic.Emerging with a towel wrapped securely around me, I noticed the tray of breakfast waiting on my table. Toasted bread, cream
Miranda's POV PLEASE INCASE YOU FOUND A NAME A MIRANDA, JUST KNOW THAT IM REFERRING TO BOTH MIRANDA AND LAILA IN ANY OF THE CHAPTERS. THEY ARE THE SAME PEOPLE. The cacophony of reporters surrounded me, their voices sharp and insistent as they hurled questions my way. My heart raced, but I stood firm, keeping my face stoic despite the heat of the cameras flashing in my direction. My gaze flicked briefly to Nolan on my right, his jaw tight with annoyance, and Clara on my left, her lips pressed into a thin line of worry. Their presence was a strange anchor to the chaos threatening to overwhelm me. I focused on the reporters again, meeting their relentless stares with cold defiance. My heart hammered in my chest, but I wouldn’t let it show. This wasn’t the first storm I had faced, and it wouldn’t be the last. "Miss Martins, how many people have you wronged to warrant such backlash?" one reporter sneered, his microphone thrust forward as though he were accusing me of a heinous cri
Miranda's POV The suffocating tension in the boardroom hung thick as I stepped in, the chaotic chatter of the board members ceasing the moment they caught sight of me. All eyes turned toward me as if I were both their savior and their target. My heels clicked sharply against the polished floor, echoing in the sudden silence. Clara, ever the steady presence, followed close behind, her clipboard clutched to her chest. She gave me a supportive nod, though her lips were pressed into a thin, worried line. I took my seat at the head of the table—the seat of power—and exhaled slowly, scanning the room. My stepmother’s schemes, my stepsister’s manipulations, and Nolan’s infuriating insistence on our engagement still swirled in my mind like a tempest. But here, in this room, I had to be the CEO they both feared and respected. My heart may have been bruised, but I wasn’t about to let that show. The first voice to break the silence was, unsurprisi
Miranda's POVTriumph swelled within me as I walked out of the boardroom, my heels clicking against the tiled floor. The smile on my face was hard to suppress. Mr. Williams was finally out of my way—at least for the next six months. I had worked tirelessly to craft a strategy that would ensure his forced leave, a decision sealed by my unwavering determination. For months, he had been a thorn in my side, his every move calculated to undermine my authority. I knew he had been tormenting Laila, the woman whose body I now inhabited. His mere presence was a nightmare I refused to endure any longer.The six-month leave was my way of saying, "You’re done here." And though the message was veiled in corporate professionalism, I intended to make sure that he never returned.As I descended the stairs, my mood remained buoyant. The garage was dimly lit, the faint hum of fluorescent lights echoing through the vast space. My car beeped as I pressed the key fob, its lights flashing in greeting. Just
Miranda’s POVAs I stared down at the battered figure of Desmond, I couldn’t help but suppress a sardonic smile. There he was, the man who destroyed me in my past life, lying helpless before me. He clutched his ribs, groaning in pain, his disheveled hair falling over his face. Part of me wanted to leave him there, to let him feel what helplessness truly meant. But another part, the calculating part, saw an opportunity.I crouched down, feigning concern as I tilted my head and forced a sweet smile. “Desmond,” I said, my voice honeyed but devoid of warmth, “are you dying, or are you just being dramatic?”His eyes fluttered open, glassy with pain. “I saved you, didn’t I?” he croaked. “The least you could do is help me now.”I rolled my eyes but quickly masked the motion with a look of feigned worry. “Fine,” I said, brushing invisible dust off my tailored blazer. “But let’s get one thing straight. I’m helping you because I need answers, not because I
Laila’s POV As I sat on the soft sand beside Nolan, the cool ocean breeze brushed against my skin, its salty scent filling my lungs with a sense of calm. The sun, now dipping below the horizon, bathed everything in a soft, golden hue. I leaned against him, feeling his warmth seep into my bones. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. The chaos, the threats, and the betrayals that had once consumed my life seemed like a distant memory, fading with the setting sun. But despite the serenity, the thoughts still raced in my mind. I was torn between two lives—Lila and Miranda—and it was hard to reconcile them. One life, full of memories I had no control over, and another that had become my reality, shaped by my choices and the people I met along the way. Nolan, though, had always been a constant. He was the thread tying everything together, even when I couldn’t see it. I turned to him, meeting his deep, sincere gaze, and
Laila’s POV I continued to run through the dark, damp basement, my heart hammering in my chest as the man pursued me relentlessly. Each of my footsteps echoed in the vast, empty space, and I couldn’t believe I had come here alone. What was I thinking? What had possessed me to ignore Lance’s warnings? I should’ve listened to him. Now, here I was, running for my life, the walls closing in around me as I realized I had made a grave mistake. I stumbled, my foot catching on something hidden in the shadows, and fell to the ground. Pain shot through my knees, but I didn’t have the luxury to stop and nurse the wound. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, and my pulse quickened. “Hamilton,” I gasped, my voice trembling with fear, “Please… you don’t have to kill me.” I wasn’t sure if I was pleading for my life or bargaining for a way out, but I had to try something. “I’ll give you money! I’ll give you anything you want! I’ll give you back the company!
Laila’s POV Mr. Williams slowly looked at Hamilton, a bitter smile curling at the edges of his lips as he braced himself for what was coming. His eyes, once warm and inviting, now glinted with the realization that he had outlived his usefulness. The situation had shifted drastically, and the cold air seemed to settle heavier with each passing second. "You really thought you could just use me, didn’t you?" Mr. Williams’ voice was raspy but laced with a cold edge of sarcasm. He turned his gaze to Hamilton, his old ally, but now she was nothing more than an enemy. "I was your friend once, Hamilton. A loyal one. And this is how you repay me?" Hamilton stood motionless, her expression frozen in a mask of rage and contempt. "You were never a friend, Mr. Williams," she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with venom. "You were always a means to an end. Nothing more." He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a grimace. "A means to an end...?” he repeated, his voice betraying a tr
Laila’s POV I couldn't believe it. Everything that had happened up until this point felt like it was straight out of a nightmare—only, this was my reality. I was standing in the middle of a dark, damp basement, the air thick with tension and the smell of mildew, and yet, it felt like I was suffocating from the weight of betrayal. Mr. Williams’ words echoed in my mind: "You have one task—get out of this basement alive, and you’ll get the proof." The audacity. I had come here trusting him, believing his promises. He seemed genuine, his voice calm and reassuring when he spoke to me on the phone. But now, standing here, staring at him with a twisted smile on his face, I realized how wrong I had been. How could I have been so naive? I had ignored Nolan’s warning. I should have listened to him. Nolan had always been there for me, offering his wisdom and caution when I needed it most. But instead, I had decided to trust Mr. Williams, thinking that he was the key to uncovering the tru
**Hamilton's POV** I was in my office when the call came in. It was a frantic voice on the other end, trembling with fear and urgency. “Mrs. Hamilton, it’s about your daughter... Mara.” My heart dropped before I even heard the rest of the sentence. “She was pushed... we don’t know who did it, but she was found lying in the kitchen of the Mountain’s Group of Companies... and she’s been... hurt.” My mind couldn’t make sense of the words, but the panic in the voice was clear. They told me Mara was still breathing, just barely. Without wasting a second, I ordered the ambulance to be sent immediately. My hands were shaking as I hung up, feeling like the world was collapsing around me. What happened? Who would do this to my little girl? The journey to the company felt like an eternity. Every second, every heartbeat, was filled with dread. I couldn’t imagine her in that condition. It felt like the air itself had thickened, and the suffocating fear clung to me. When we arrived, I saw her,
Hamilton’s POV We had just been celebrating our latest triumph. The business was thriving, and every new plan we executed was a success. We were stealing Lila’s clients, breaking down her network one piece at a time. The feeling of victory was sweet, and I couldn’t help but smile as Mr. Williams and I sat together, discussing how far we’d come. “I’ll take you out for coffee,” I told Mr. Williams. “Let’s celebrate. We’ve earned it.” He smiled, clearly as pleased with our success as I was. Just as we were settling into the idea of a relaxing break, a sudden, sharp realization hit me. The Redwood Furniture Company, one of our major suppliers, hadn’t responded to our latest inquiry about stock mandates. My stomach turned. We had been relying on them for a crucial shipment, and without it, everything could come crashing down. I glanced at Mr. Williams. “Did they respond to your call?” I asked. He picked up his phone again, dialing the number. But his expression shifted almost immed
**Laila’s POV** I was determined to get to the root of this. I couldn’t let Michael’s lies go unpunished, especially after everything he had done. The moment I heard they had apprehended the criminal, I knew I couldn’t waste time. Without hesitation, I decided to follow Nolan to meet him. As we arrived, I could see the fear in Michael's eyes. He refused to speak unless I gave him something in return. The arrogance in his voice grated on my nerves. "I'll only tell you the truth when you sleep with me," he said, his voice dripping with smugness. I clenched my fists, fighting the surge of anger coursing through me. My company, my reputation, everything I had worked for was hanging by a thread. I was not the type to trust easily, but I had no other choice but to take this step. My heart was pounding, but my face remained steely, betraying no emotion. The knife in my hand gleamed under the dim light, and I stepped closer to him, my eyes narrowing. "Tell me what happened. Why did you d
Laila’s POV I’m so thankful for Nolan. He’s been my anchor, the only person I can trust, especially when everything else around me felt like it was closing in. Every time I thought I couldn’t face the overwhelming pressure of these accusations, he would be there, showing up with that reassuring calm in his eyes. I had no idea what this woman and the man with her were planning. I didn’t understand why they had come to my hotel, why they were accusing my security team of something so vile. But Nolan always seemed to have a way of cutting through the noise. "I’m not making any payments until I’m sure,” I had said to them, trying to stand my ground despite the anger and frustration burning in my chest. “We need an investigation. It’s not right to just pay without proof.” But before I could say more, Nolan had pulled me aside, his voice low and urgent. “It’s a setup, Laila. They’re trying to ruin us, trying to tarnish the reputation of this hotel. Someone has been targeting us from
**Laila's POV:** Every single day, I walk into the office with the heavy weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. It’s as if the universe conspires to test me, one problem at a time, with no relief in sight. And yet, I have no choice but to face it. Someone, somewhere, is working against me. There’s no other explanation. I can feel their eyes on me, their whispers in the shadows. My rivals, my enemies—they are always lurking, waiting for an opening to devour me and, more importantly, my father’s company. I’ve spent my entire life building this empire, and now, with the way things are going, it feels like I’m standing on the edge, waiting to be pushed off. They don’t want me here. They don’t want me to have this second chance that fate has granted me, but I won’t let them take it away. This is my opportunity to prove myself, to show them all that I’m not just some helpless pawn. I’ll fight with everything I have. This morning, as I sat in my office, trying to focus on the endle